On Friday, the Students’ Union of the University of Ibadan (UI) voiced their strong opposition to a recent decision by the university’s governing council to raise school fees. To protest, students organized an overnight demonstration, which lasted from 10:20 p.m. until 2 a.m.
Union leaders, including President Bolaji Aweda, Vice-President Bolutife Aboderin, and Secretary Daniel Elemide, issued a statement rejecting the fee increase. They announced a class boycott and demanded that the new fee structure be rescinded. Additionally, they called for the school’s fee payment portal to be shut down within 24 hours until their demands are addressed.
The union leaders also encouraged students to use social media to rally support under the hashtags #UIFEESMUSTFALL and #SAVEUITES.
Read Also: “They Rained Bullets On Our Vehicle”- Kidnapped Medical Student Narrates Ordeal
ccording to a report by NAN, the university’s governing council had approved the fee hike during a meeting held on Thursday. The council, through a statement signed by Registrar and Secretary G.O. Saliu, indicated that the increase was based on recommendations from the University Senate.
The council’s announcement included a deadline of September 4 for students to complete their registration and payment. They emphasized that students who have not finalized their registration should do so by the deadline to ensure their names are included for the First Semester Examination.
Furthermore, the council urged students to seek financial assistance through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) and various scholarships provided by the university and other benefactors. They emphasized that there would be no extension to the registration deadline, with the portal closing as scheduled.
The fee payment deadline had been initially postponed following protests in July.
